DETROIT, MI - The Michigan Humane Society applauds criminal charges filed Wednesday against a Detroit rapper named Young Calicoe, who was featured over the summer in an internet video that boasted about dog fighting and illegal gambling.

Calicoe, whose real name is Toranio Hightower, 22, was charged by the Wayne County Prosecutor's office with conspiracy to gamble (5 years maximum - if convicted), animal fighting (4 years) and conspiracy to commit animal fighting (4 years).

"We're obviously very pleased with what's happened," said Kevin Hatman, a humane society spokesman, of the charges. "We appreciate the diligence of the prosecutor's office.

"These are some very serious, heinous crimes, and i think the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office is very progressive in responding to these sorts of things."

The charges stem from Calicoe's appearance in an "MTV Cribs"-style video, credited to Midnight TV Hood Reality, that
also sparked a Detroit Police Department investigation because it also
included footage of what appeared to be a full-fledged cockfighting
operation in a Detroit home.

The Detroit home in question, featured in the video, was raided by the
humane society and uncovered several pit bulls and roosters.

Hightower, along with two other defendants, are scheduled to have a preliminary examination 9 a.m. Thursday before Judge Michael Wagner in Detroit's 36th District Court.

Hatman said at least one of the humane society's animal cruelty investigators is expected to attend the preliminary examination.

Along with Hightower, the prosecutor's office identifies the other two defendants as Savay Chokbengboun, 31, and Cassandra Faye Worthington, 26 - both of Detroit.

An explanation of the alleged crimes given by the prosecutor's office in a press release:

It is alleged that the three defendants committed the crimes from
approximately July, 2009 through July, 2012. On July 11, 2012, the
Detroit Police Department and the Michigan Human Society conducted a
raid where dogs and other animals
were removed from a home located in the 12200 W. Outer Drive.